windwalker gets a long-overdue check up......

windwalker, when she arrived...

Dearest friends and lovers of dear windwalker...

"...I hear a drum in my soul's ear coming from the depths of the stars..."  - Rumi

I have to admit i'm elated....
...and i believe windwalker is too...

in September, our ayllu sacred drum, windwalker travelled down from Kamloops  and was delivered to be with me/us... (thank you Laurie!)

holy wow - is this ever cool!

There are really no accidents......... the way it all fell into place it was meant to be...

I can't tell you how wonderful it has been to have her here in our home - for the first time ever since she was birthed over 6 years ago!

Where we lived previously didn't allow room for her... though our new home now does and she is presently happily residing in our healing room, gracing us with her sacred presence... and what a time we've had....

Moose hide side @ 35.25 diameter

It has been a good opportunity for me to really spend some good quality, sacred time with her to connect and pray together...

and, what i have also realized is that this time has also allowed me to really get a good look at her up close...

I live about 4-5 hours from Kamloops/Sorrento and when i have been up there for sacred circles 2-3 times a year where windwalker is always a part... i have never had the opportunity to really survey how she is doing because our time is always limited with being so busy in session and then... right at the moment when the event is over, windwalker is promptly loaded back onto a vehicle to be in care with someone until the next event...

The last while (about 2 years or so) there has been quite a bit of discussion about what to do with windwalker's heft - particularly her weight and size..... she's a grand drum!

A drum of this size logistically really doesn't lend itself to be moved around a lot very well... ultimately it would have been nice to have one sacred space to house her... however, we haven't had that option and so, she has been moved to where we create and hold our ceremonies, trainings and community events... Doing this moving has not been easy nor longer possible for some...

Last April (2013), we gathered together in circle to discuss what to do about this and after much discussion, a few options were considered... one, was giving her to another community... or to me... though during this time, we did not have the room for her... when this was being suggested, i couldn't fathom windwalker being 'given' to one person... it also deeply saddened me to hear this...

Finally, some good time to check in + assess

I expressed that the original intent and dreaming this sacred drum into being was meant to be as a Community/Ayllu mother drum... to be of service to the ayllu...

During the meeting Laurie D., agreed to be windwalker's caretaker until perhaps others would wish to take on sharing this task. (thank you Laurie!)...

So, it was agreed a call would be made to the general ayllu... and since that (email) notice has gone out, no one has replied at all... except from a couple of folk who wish to know what happens to her - to be kept in the loop....

One person emailed me and shared with me that they found the issue of windwalker being too heavy, not an issue at all - that in the past or even now, a spiritual community would simply not see it this way - that if a drum (or anything) needed to be moved, it was to be moved by as many people needed and they would do it... She also asked, why is it that when the 1,000 days of drumming project ended, that it was suggested that windwalker was to 'end'?  It didn't make any sense to her...

It didn't make any sense to me either....

Making one into two...

Another group decision that came out of the meeting was to attempt to cut her into two frames horizontally and create two drums - which would "lighten her up"...And if that worked, we would then re-skin windwalker  - and the other frame would be shipped to the New York ayllu... where they would birth their own community mother drum... thus widening the healing work we are all a part of...

A glimpse into the heart of the mother

This was an interesting thought as it possibly aligned with the original intent back 6 years ago...?

When we were guided to the blown-down sitka spruce on Read Island, two rounds were sawn off the tree stump - it was a major undertaking taking most of the day....

The smaller round (3 foot diameter) came to Kamloops - which we birthed as windwalker and the other round (which was about 4 feet in diameter) was left on the beach to be picked up later at a trip back to Read... However, the 4-foot round went missing and was never found...

hmmmn.... so... it wasn't meant to be?

I'm of the bent that stuff happens for a reason where spirit and life-purpose have already been written.....

I believe that it's no accident we have the dear sacred drum we have - in the physical form that she was birthed and meant to be.........Perhaps windwalker wrote her own life-purpose???  We humbly heard 'her' call,  responded and showed up.......

windwalker reflects back to us as ayllu

It's interesting to note that when i attempted to plan and organize a time (recently) to gather those of us to do the actual task of cutting and separating her into two... it didn't work for anyone to be there and so i pushed that date ahead to November when i was to be next up for the white drum mesa gathering....

Though... i have to admit... every time i thought of this actually happening - literally cutting windwalker into two just made me cringe over and over..... and i finally had to listen to that........ the spirits were speaking to me.....

Then something happened..

Spirit and guidance revealed to me a 'reflection' windwalker was showing in the 'cutting into two".... The very act by us (as ayllu) choosing to cut her in half... was perhaps a confirmation that our ayllu is and has been "cut" and "split" for many years.... Even before windwalker was birthed she showed us this when the frame began to rapidly split and crack while Rick was coring her...

Are we listening?...

I ask why would we wish to continue dreaming this dream? - by symbolically and physically intending this?........ i can't negate that i find this interesting and a powerful message/reflection... and have to admit seeing and realizing this, rattled me deep, to say the least...

I'm not sure i, or anyone else for that matter, would like to continue to dream this into being....???

I don't know about you.... that i prefer to mindfully dream into being our community ayllu as 'wholeness'... and healing as 'one'....

Windwalker is revealing to me (and others) that she chooses healing.... to build community - not sever it....

Anyway... all of the above can and has been debated over and over and over again ...and i have found it all, very interesting just how each and everyone who have been touched by this grand sacred drum - have their own perspective, relationship and journey with her, and i say it again - each one's relationship is valid... and i acknowledge and honour each with respect...

I also know that not everyone carries sacred drum medicine as i do... i have learned of late that perhaps i was possibly assuming this? - though not intentionally... I have to admit that i came to a place of being 'stuck' with the original dreaming of windwalker - that she was/is as 'ayllu community drum'... and wouldn't let go of that.... it's been clear that some ayllu members have told me that they are 'done' with care-taking windwalker - and, it's a surprising and sad fact that no one wishes to carry on... i honour and respect any one's decision of what's right for them... i always have...

I also know that our ayllu is shifting and changing - everything shifts and changes... perhaps this is a message of not being attached to 'form'........ again, another sacred teaching from windwalker...

So now... i can 'see' and 'feel' a new dreaming coming into being - i may not exactly know what that is at the moment... though i am open to a new beginning... windwalker has been and is definitely moving into a new pacha and i feel i am too - yet again!  I know we all are... I can't negate nor ignore a dreaming of a deeper 'sacred partnership - of all' coming into being....... others feel this as well... we are all evolving and that includes windwalker too...

So... these past few weeks i have taken the opportunity to really assess where windwalker is at both physically and spiritually....

windwalker is 2.8-inches or more thick!

I wish to note some significant facts - some of which i suspected and knew over 5 years ago where, now only confirm...


ASSESSMENT - windwalker's much-needed check up...

- As we know, windwalker is one big drum - she was birthed from a very large wind-blown-down Sitka Spruce tree that was found on Read Island,  the west coast of BC... (her herstory is documented here on this blog FYI)...

- When Rick cored her 6 years ago - he figured she is about 135 years old by her ring count... Wow!  I never really knew this.... we knew she is one wise grandmother!...

- She is about 17 inches in height, 35.25 inches in diameter on her Moose skin side and 31 inches diameter on her Buffalo skin side...

- What i really didn't realize until now is that she, her frame-rim is over 2.8-inches thick!!! (see photo)  This is significant because it also explains one reason why she is so heavy in weight... that is solid wood!...

- When windwalker first arrived, i first checked in spiritually and connected with her heart-to-heart... i was quite astonished as to how 'wounded' she is feeling and showing... i cried tears of compassion for her... i felt this most on her two hides... physically there are a number of rips and tears with also numerous deep scratches and gouges into her buffalo hide side (see photos below)...

What was nice to see is her Sitka wood body is in excellent shape without hardly a bump or scratch - here, she is strong,  and holds much beauty and grace.... her body holds much spirit, medicine and symbology within her stunning grain... there is a white amaru dragon... a big chocachinchay cat... tidal waves, spirals and soundings... i can hear ocean dolphins swimming... the cry of the whale and owl and more.....

There are over 10 verticals broken + re-tied

- Though, what i found most significant was that windwalker's hides are indeed completely flat and wrinkled... there is no resonance at all... the only sound you hear is a flat thump...

When i went around around and checked her lacings, i was astounded to find just how many of the rawhide verticals have broken over the years - over 10+ have snapped and some ripped right out from the hide edge... and they were all lovingly re-tied back together with much mindfulness and care.... however, this does not return or retain any tightness or resonance of the hides....

- And so,  this is most significant, one of which i've been attempting to share with people for a number of years is that.... when both hides are completely flat and have been since the first lacings broke that first year.... IS the main reason why she no longer sings... This is truly a technical issue because there is no longer ANY tension or resonance because of flat hides!  She really needed to be re-skinned way back then.

It is no one's fault this was never done - it just didn't get done...

Sooo.... this is where she is at in this moment of time.... 

I feel very strongly that she still needs to be simply lightened up, re-skinned and repaired where, she will sing once again as she did back when we birthed her.... note... back when we birthed her and dedicated her, her first soundings were so resonant, you could feel the heart of the mother move the core of your being from within your own heart and back to hers - i will never forget that... do you remember?....

It was unfortunate that her lacings broke within the first year... for she has never sung the same since... there are many of us who know this from playing her.  When one plays any kind of drum - the energy of the engagement must be equal... where, as i play the drum, the drum plays me back.... yes, there is some sound coming from her - however, this is only because the hides are dried and molded to the frame and if it's warm enough, they may tighten slightly - though only so far... there is still no tension... We made some mistakes when we birthed her - one being we should have made twice the thickness of lacing...

tears and rips on the hides

I am confident that a lot of her girth-weight can be brought down considerably by removing about a third of her rim thickness -  which will lighten her up... and even taking down some of her height will help with this as well...

I am receiving a very clear message directly from her and the lineage of sacred drummers that she is NOT to be cut into two - that this is not her life-path nor is it even feasible from a physical and technical perspective...

Reason being........

Her height is only 17 inches and...

many broken lacings re-tied...

...If she were to be cut into two, this would only allow for each frame to be about 8.5 inches high if we're lucky...  This is not enough height  to act as a sustainable strong frame at such a diameter... and much too short to maintain the stress of stretching hides and playing or moving, etc....

After a long-overdue good discussion with Rick, who knows her the best physically, (because he cored her), it is not recommended we even try cutting her, as it is more than possible that she would crack and break and, in the end, we would not have a sacred drum any more... we would destroy her...

Windwalker's next pacha - next plans ....

Since the email notice that went out regarding windwalker's next pacha... there has been NO response - no one new has expressed an interest in care-taking her... those who have in the past no longer wish to...

Since windwalker has been in residence here with me... windwalker herself, the spirits, and the lineage of the sacred drummers are advising that she continue to stay here with me in Vancouver for the time being....

Soooooooooooo....

The plan is..... soon, her hides will be removed (i'm thinking on Samhain Oct 31st) and then, she will be lightened up by removing about a third of her inner rim thickness and some of her height taken down.

This is a big physical job... i am committed to doing this here in Vancouver and there are also a few others who are willing to do this work with me... we are committed to doing it.... i welcome anyone to come join us...

I and we know deep in our hearts that, for the present moment that this is windwalker's next pacha - and she is NOT to be split - as this only confirms what has been mentioned above...

We know deep within our being and intend - that WE are ONE... and WHOLE... windwalker is here to guide us to continue to dream this into being...

Our dear windwalker has been very clear for many months now - that she chooses to continue in her whole state...  and i can't tell you how excited and passionate i am to be a part of her journey with her, for her to reveal her next pacha and what that will be - i am deeply listening and open to be her care-taker in this present moment...

I welcome all who wish to be a part... and i always welcome your feedback and comments below...

Lovingly reported, with many bright blessings...
love and light... weaver x (((o)))

PS... windwalker's continued journey will be documented here and updates will be posted... more photos below...

The lacings are completely loose...

Loose lacings and more re-ties...

a white Amaru dragon keeps watch in the south...

The Buffalo hide side has taken on deep scratches...

What does it mean to be a care-taker of our ayllu community sacred drum, windwalker?

We, as ayllu blessed windwalker with our love and she blessed us...

note... please know the below are suggestions... i don't ever claim to 'know' everything when it comes to working with sacred drums and what is involved with care-taking a sacred drum let alone one grand community ayllu sacred drum like windwalker... i share from my own experience from walking the path of the sacred drum.... and i always welcome all who wish to share and offer their learnings with us... please do.... :o)

...know this is a path like any path... i invite you to engage on a level that is mindful... and to walk from heart.... 

...if you are sooo called - we welcome you... and we hear your voice!  

- with much munay... weaver x (((o)))

Some suggestions on what it means to become a care-taker of windwalker, our ayllu community sacred drum... 

- a desire to be of service to our beautiful ayllu plus take care of windwalker... to mindfully connect with her and our blessed earth mother from a spiritual perspective... including the physical care.

- to offer a safe, sacred space within your home/place to take care of and honour her – place her somewhere special and out of the way of everyday life... out of direct sunlight, heaters or any extreme temperatures – away from pets who could damage her... dogs particularly are very fond of rawhide and will chew on the hides or wood.  

Cats love to exercise their claws on wood and are often drawn to the medicine of the sacred drum and will want to hang out holding space... when not in use or in transporting, keep the top hide covered with her special honouring cloth to avoid scratching and also to allow the drum to rest – big drums are resonators and also very open ‘containers’ open to energy and/or will take on energy, thus ‘working’ and available continually when uncovered.  

Children are very drawn to drums and will naturally want to enthusiastically ‘beat’ a drum without knowing  – they also offer wonderful light energy to the drum too – so, please supervise children to ‘play’ the drum – teach them the difference of playing vs beating her... our ‘mother’ has been beaten enough...  also, never ‘use’ a sacred drum as a coffee table or a place to lay things on because it’s convenient... please offer respect...

- offerings of regular or daily feedings... connection and engaging with windwalker honours her and our blessed earth mother... as we acknowledge and ‘feed’ our mesas with love, we feed ourselves with love... by feeding and honouring windwalker we are mindfully feeding and honouring our ayllu/community..... doing this every day is good... though if your schedule doesn’t allow every day – find what fits within your schedule on a consistent basis – every other day – 3 times a week, etc... find what fits for you – it’s consistency that is important – it is sacred practice... 

- this can be done by connecting with her in prayer... offering of flowers, seeds, draping with dry cedar boughs dry and smoke smudge... our songs... prayers... sounding of bells, chimes and simply giving her a sweet hug... be mindful of her as spirit and as sacred voice of our blessed earth mother... play her, lay your hands on her, feel her energy, tap her gently, enjoy her... call her by her sacred name... 

- sit and be still with her, sit and lean your back on her and she will support you in whatever way you need to be supported... know that what you are ‘feeling’ and ‘thinking’ when you play her is energetically going out into the world and returning to you ten-fold... listen deeply... when we engage with spirit – spirit will engage with us – the spirit are patiently waiting for us to engage with them first... windwalker and our blessed earth mother have much to teach us if we will only listen.... when we honour her, we honour ourselves as ayllu.... as one...

- if you receive 'messages' from her or through her... please be mindful of where those messages come from... are they from the heart?.... from the light?...  please check in deeply within your being that they are not your own 'projections'.... do these messages feel good... do they support you...? ...do they benefit all?... ...if not, know that messages that come from true divine light, that are aligned with infinite source are never controlling, manipulative, bossy or judgemental in any way....... if you feel this - do not engage with this energy - as they are not of the light or source....  release them back from where they came....... as they are not helpful nor useful.....

- windwalker is a community drum and available to our community - our ayllu – this is her journey and her commitment to us... we ask what our commitment is to her?  ...she can’t get to events and ceremonies on her own... being care-taker is choosing to be responsible and making a commitment to being available to the call of the ayllu community and windwalker... ie:  making arrangements for windwalker to be transported to and from the event or ceremony – if you can’t do it then to make sure someone can be available and to also arrange help/transportation if needed.

- given freely to all of you my beautiful ayllu...  
with love and light from weaver x (((o)))

windwalker, our ayllu community sacred drum - our heart of hearts....

It has certainly been an interesting journey thus far - these past 6 years.........

- windwalker as sacred healing drum for anyone open to engage spiritually....

what does that mean for you - for us....?

a big learning that has been revealed to me is that windwalker teaches and engages each one of us in her own unique, beauty way... i feel this is significant and powerful.... i honour this!!!... 

- i welcome ALL to honour this ... 

i guess that's why i started this blog... because i invited those of you within our ayllu to perhaps share the healings and the teachings that you have experienced with windwalker over this past 6 years... a few did engage in the beginning writings here.... i know i have contributed much here as i personally found documenting windwalker's journey important and a significant herstory for our beautiful ayllu.... this gives me much joy which also honours our grand drum...

i still welcome you to share your journey and sacred relationship with windwalker here if you wish - anytime... as i know others including myself would love to hear... as your personal journey with her helps all of us... and those of us who listen....

- windwalker as 'ayllu-community' sacred drum.... our heart-beat as 'one'

with being a part of windwalker's journey and witness ....what i have found the most deep is when we gather 'as ayllu' together 'as one' with windwalker as an equal member along with us within mindful sacred circle...this is when the biggest medicine and healing has come through spirit....... 

- and holy wow... is the healing up even to this day!

it is through these sharings/healings expressed through the heart during ayllu sacred circle of all present that we can all heal together 'as one'.... 

- in these sacred moments there really is no 'leader' or 'facilitator'... 

during these times as we offer mindful intent... we merge.. as one 'being' - fulfillment of 'ayllu' perhaps?... isn't this what we all yearn for? ...and, what we are perhaps evolving to?... .... windwalker has shared this with us many times - right from the beginning even before she became a physical drum.... when she was a cored-out piece of sitka-spruce tree... there are many sharings here on this blog....

and those of us who were present together during that wonderful weekend when we skinned and birthed windwalker... i was guided throughout that gathering to simply get out of the way, to allow spirit to completely direct that special weekend and what an amazing time we had....! ...we all felt much and learned much and witnessed the possibility of what can happen when we work together as ayllu-community... as one body...one mind...one spirit.... i know many of us shall never forget that experience... i know i have not....

- many of us know this and honour this connection...

that is why i feel strongly deep within my soul that windwalker is an 'ayllu-community' drum - this is her path and why she birthed herself into being - we as ayllu responded to her call... and if no others step up to continue this, her 'ayllu' journey - well... i guess we'll have to listen to what's next - with what she may have to say regarding that....... i know i am open to what is possible... to continue dreaming along with her...

"...listen, listen, listen to my heart's song...

...listen, listen, listen to my heart's song...

...i will never forget you... i will never forsake you...

...i will never forget you... i will never forsake you..."

windwalker was originally dreamed into being as an ayllu-community 'sacred' drum... that is what we 'heard' through spirit, responded to, and envisioned 'together' 6 years ago....

it is my dear hope (and the hope of others) that we can continue to say yes to what we all said a great big 'yes' to in the beginning.. that we honour the medicine/spirit of this vision...  
back then we said yes... stating together we were ready as ayllu, as community to take on the responsibility to care-take and carry this sacred drum into the future dreaming of our ayllu...  

i know personally when i come to be a part of the white drum mesa teachings that are sourcing through those of us who gather together twice a year... the deep healings and honourings i have experienced over and over including sourcing the white drum rites, etc., and i know others have during our ceremonies together, that there have been truly significant and moving healing(s) - for us individually tho most important for ALL of us - as ayllu....

- and this deep healing continues...

perhaps windwalker is possibly reflecting and teaching us a new way to 'be' within 'being' as true ayllu - as one... as we evolve together in this brand new grand age since we moved through the portal of 2012....?

- 1,000 days + 8,000 sacred drums....

it was a grand pacha moment - those of us who stepped up and chose to mindfully 'sound' windwalker every day for 1,000 days in a row which was completed at summer solstice 2012... but does that mean that because that ceremonial pacha is done that windwalker is done.... ? ...some have thought so and some have not... this has been a deep question those of have been asking for awhile now... again... we all have our own unique relationship with windwalker and all are honoured.... it's also been very colourful - the refections that have emerged and shined out...

- sooo... are we done? ... some of us don't think so... 

windwalker reminds us... "are we all on a path of beauty....?"

a path never ends - like circle with no beginning and no end.....

the Otomi elders of Mexico who shared their ancient prophecy.... that when the sounding of 8,000 sacred drums are sounded all together at one time that an intense healing of our blessed earth mother will 'commence'...

- apparently, this ancient prophecy has been fulfilled...

however.... i feel that one word in this prophecy, 'commence' is quite significant and mega-important.... think about the meaning of the word 'commence' for a moment.... don't you think that perhaps.... and what comes is that classic song line...

- we've only just begun...... ?

i don't mean this in jest - it's a-given that there is sooo much more work to be done for the healing of this, our dear planet, pachamama and all of us who are her care-takers.... how can we be done?... i know we've really only begun....

- the north teachings of the wise ones.....

over 12 years ago.... when i sat in front of my north solo fire in the pouring rain - mindfully attempting to make that decision i was asked to take... or better said, to say 'yes'.... to become and commit to be a steward of pachamama........ i admit that i did hesitate for a moment... to place my stone in the middle of the sputtering flames was the final decision - the commitment - a life-path......... i remember asking my self numerous times if i was up to the task... can i commit?.... can i even do this?... WILL i do this?...

i did choose to do it - many of us have... something from deep within my heart told me that i HAD to do it.... i went for it - knowing there was some kind of destiny thing going on... and believe me there have been times when i have wondered why or wtf.... though... when i sit within sacred circle with others who have also said 'yes' is when i truly know why..... and it's sooo good to know i'm not alone... even tho sometimes i forget that......

we are all leaders.... leading each other - let us honour that and each time we come to sit together within sacred circle.... to mindfully be open to a whole new way of be-ing together... allowing each equal space to become as ayllu-leading-ayllu...

not sure if i've got the exact words here... though i know i 'feel' this much as we continue to evolve together....

windwalker showed up and is committed... she's here in her physical form to help us re-member all that... she has this very cool gift of reminding us to express our joy in the ever present moment... with her we can re-member that we can co-create together as 'one'....

each of us are like single drops of water falling into the ocean of unending love - emanating our concentric circle-pulses which eventually connect us as one pulse of 'one' flowing together......... and it's a beautiful ride downstream if we so choose it...... :o)

frankly, i'm quite tired of 'trying' to swim upstream...... aren't you?

i always welcome your feedback, comments and engagement here...

bright blessings always...
in mucho munay...
weaver x (((o)))

oceanstar echos and soundings in our ears - a prayer-poem........

54-sec video with sound - see prayer-poem below...

re-membering a vision...

of...
quite a...
time...
ago...
we chose...
to...
be-come...
embraced...
inside...
the...
deep...
verdent...
island-forest...
hearing your...
windy...

yearning...
to...

connect...

heart-to-hearts...

of-such-joy...
ness...

anticipation...
unexpected-ness...
of...

how she...

found us...

and we...

found...

her...

thank...

you...

little...
hidden...

tree...

frog...

for...

guiding us...

and...

thank...

you...

for...

guiding...

us...

again...

as we...

group-up...
to...

prepare an...

entrance...

of the...
warm water...

womb...
of her...

oceanstar...

pulse...
chancing...

for our...

blue...

green...

emotional...

healings...

from...

deep...

within...

our...

blessed...

earth...

mother's...

la luna...
inner...

spiral...

heart...

star...

fish...

gratitude...

dearest...

yemaya...

mama quilla...

grandmother...
light...
elemental...

ynines...
mother...

merry mary...

dancing...

dolphin...
shiny...
sea...
shells...
glistening...
violet wet...

wise...
old...
ancient...
one...

whale-sir...
beautiful...
tidal...
sister...
friend...

walker-in-wind...
strong...
rooted...

sitka...

standing one...

who came...
from...
a wild...
ocean-coast...
so...
tall...
who now...
resides and...
feeds...
the desert-lands...

white...
crystal...

buffalo...
giver...

big...
mouth...

moose...
mesa...

teach...

us...

please...

may...

we...

have...
wide...
singing...

courage...

to...
simply...
shut...
up...
our...
incessant...
seemingly...
self-important...
mucky...
ego...
monkey...
mind...
and...

listen...
to-gether...
with...
ayllu-ears...
we do...
know deep...
we...
can...
will we?

bright blessings...

weaver...

x

(((o)))

above image 'oceanstar'

© 2012 copyright
all rights reserved • by weaver

www.carolweaver.com

windwalker... dear sacred drum - our blessed ayllu sister...

Greetings to all... 

Flying Flicker Woodpecker

Here, where we live, in our little ‘green’ neighbourhood, I always know when it’s truly Fall is when the grandmother flickers  (woodpeckers) start to call, shout and screech continually as they revel in their feasting of the season’s bounty in the trees around us – they especially love the dogwood seeds....

And thank you dear Valerie for your ‘teachings’ and to all teachings that have been shared by everyone in our emails... those who have shared their courage to share within our circle... I thank you and I hear your voice...!!!

I wish to reply from my heart, from the deep love/medicine of the sacred drum and for our blessed earth mother and the heart of ‘windwalker’ and – I choose to name her because I wish to acknowledge her by name.... and I continue to honour her - as my dear sister-spirit who connects me... ceke's me to the heart of our mother............

When I continue to drum re all this.... what comes is that....  I find it significant regarding some particular dates....

1... the call and vision of dreaming windwalker in early 2007.... our ayllu responds with a huge ‘yes!”....

2... July 7, 2007 (7-7-7)... trip to Read Island where the fallen windwalker tree is found... we engage, step up and bring her home.......

3... windwalker is birthed during the weekend of September 8, 2008 (8-8-8) – ayllu expands with celebration/commitment....

4... the first white drum mesa weekend (east) comes to our ayllu and begins Spring of 2009 – connection.... #9 - completion?

5... 1,000 days of ‘sounding’ windwalker begins... ayllu moves to deepen commitment within service.... commenced dec of 2009... and ended on solstice 2012......

6... and now... what's next???????? (12-12-12)????

I can’t help but see that this process is revealing to us as "ayllu" and what we have "dreamed into being" as one – that we indeed responded to a spirit-call and look what responded......... wow!

And re the 1,000 days and those of you who stepped up to commit to this service... I’d love to know how this process was this for you?... not in the sense of the middle world (and hard that was)... tho’ in how was this relationship with windwalker for you for our ayllu...? what did she show you... ? ...reveal to you...? or teach you...? ...the healing(s)...?  ... we heard some of this deepening from a few during our solstice time.... I would love to hear more if those of you wish to share...... what is the why did you step up to do this??..... because someone told you to or what?......

Also interesting to note from my re-membrance of the many blessed teachings I have received  from the "teachers" during the white drum mesa weekends are/is....

-       that windwalker is the ‘white drum’ or an embodiment of... and that we have received many ‘white drum mesa rites’ through windwalker many times... for me it is wonderful to have her beautiful ‘form’ among us and to be in her presence and to embrace her soundings and to honour her and feed her as i do my mesa....... and I also understand and know that “the physical form” does not necessarily need to be present ‘in form’ to connect as it is with our ‘mesas’ of stone.......i get that....

Another piece I keep coming back to which this present moment/ponderings of “what’s next?” is, where are we now re...  the initial call/vision to our ayllu (2007) ??....

‘Are we truly ready for a community ayllu drum’ to be in our presence? ....and to now again ask this same question when we did back then........ Are we ready... willing... able to accept and continue this huge responsibility?... it sounds like some of you are not... and that's okay.......

I guess I ponder......

- first attention... “the body”... (what is this – is there a clear picture?)...

- second attention...” internal or external task-at-hand”... ?

-  and third attention.. “holiness... the sacred... holding the entire circle of life in awareness and right-relationship” ...of ayni...?... what is all of this for us... as ayllu... as community.......?

I also can’t help ponder the essence-teachings of the 500 year-old Otomi 8000 sacred drums prophecy which says...

"When 8000 sacred drums sound together, an intense healing of Mother Earth will commence."

At first, my take on this was yes... of course!!... the prophecy has been fulfilled...this was announced years ago that we had reached the actual physical goal of gathering “8000 sacred drums” together at one time within sacred intent and prayer... and, yahoo for that....

However, when I dwell further into the wording of this prophecy, I can’t help get caught in the one word, “commence”...... which holds much meaning...... embark on... start... open... begin... initiate.... originate... instigate... inaugurate.... enter upon..................

And so... this reveals and teaches me that in essence – we have only really begun - we've started something, right?.... and that there is still much more work to be done....  we sooo know this....

and so.. I guess I ask the question again.... are we up for it... ?...  who will step up......  or, are we just too damn tired....?

I know deep in my own heart that I hear and feel that windwalker is definitely up to it... she only asks, are we?... whatever that could be.... 

I know that I am willing to explore a next pacha even tho’ I don’t have a frickin’ clue what’s next..... so.... I humbly ask again.... who’s with me to have a peek...........?  ...All I know is that she continues to reveal to me a most amazing, beautiful healed state – a vision....... and holy wow... I'm willing to give it a shot.... even tho’ i’m bagged too.......

with mucho light and hoards of love as all-ways...with big heart........ 

and looking forward to being in circle with you all (including windwalker) soon.... 
weaver x (((o)))

Windwalker as she presently sits... feel her love, enjoy!

As Ayllu – Will We Listen to the Heart of Our Mother?...

Dearest, dearest beautiful ayllu...

Happy Summer Solstice to you all...!

First off, I wish to thank Michelle for hosting our Solstice day at her home at the lake this past weekend – thank you Michelle for being so flexible with the shifting and changing weather... it was wonderful to be back at the lake again...

Numerous times through our day, the great thunder-beings, the 'drummers of the sky' abruptly clapped their enormous wings which sparked the unending falling of the blessed rains – they certainly had their way on our day... we had began outside and had to quickly move under shelter as we just had opened sacred space and then later again -  this time promptly moved inside the house because of the torrent of rain, wind, thunder and lightening...

I also wish to thank Joey and those who assisted her to prepare a shelter for us all...  I learned a lot about attachment to form and to just go with it... what a wonderful day!   Also, thank you to all who also helped out and to all of you who attended... it was great to see you and be in sacred circle with you... thank you!

Thunderbird constellation
which sits above Scorpius

I believe our day’s weather was very significant... when I dig a bit deeper into the symbology and meaning of the thunderbird...  I found there are several myths about this being that vary throughout First Nations cosmologies including many other cultures/history – right back to Zeus’s time.... 

This symbol is also very present in our constellations, the star nations... where, many ancient rock petroglyphs re-print what has been seen in the stars.... 'as above so below'...

“....The thunderbird has been a significant ethnic and mythical symbol of the past and a popular artistic icon and motif through the present day. 

Portrayed as a giant bird whose giant flapping wings make the thunder, while lightning comes from it’s opening and closing eyes, and sometimes with a lake on it’s back from which the rains come....”

The Shuswap - spirit of the lake...

Reading this, I believe it was no accident why we chose to meet at the lake to celebrate the 2012 Solstice this summer... and to acknowledge and honour the completion cycle of 1,000 Days of Sounding with our sacred ayllu (community) drum, windwalker.

We are certainly living in an auspicious time right now... and I know many of us have been experiencing many abrupt shifts and changes – usually when we least expect it - much like a sudden thunderstorm... I know I don’t feel alone in how I have been feeling... sometimes exhausted and sore with also many moments of immense joy and celebration to be alive at this time... "Wow!" is all I can say - it's been up and down and all around.... and, apparently, our next full moon on July 3rd is known as a "thunder moon" too... 

During our day together in ceremony, we all shared what this year's “Solstice” meant to us personally and we spent some time sharing windwalker’s journey - with also exploring what’s next for her... We also drummed and chanted together and shared a wonderful abundant potluck lunch.... Yum-a-rooni !

Letting go of the past - dreaming in the new...

We also offered prayers of letting go of the past – of that which no longer serves us through the loving help of the stone people and also offered our dreamings and intentions for our future through a flower despacho – both offerings were ‘drummed away where they needed to go via the spirit of sound” through our voices, drums and rattles and they were then offered to the dear lake at the end of our day... 

The spirit of the lake lovingly accepted our past give-aways and welcomed our humble dreamings and they floated away - a beautiful moment...

We were disappointed that we were not able to sound and play windwalker this day because of the immense humidity from the last few weeks of intense rains which meant she was quite flat - really flat... There were also sharings where folk felt that she was quite tired from her 1,000 days of drumming....and she needed to rest... so, we respected that.

Those present who had been a part of caretaking her and sounding her during this time... shared about the deep healing and teachings that windwalker gifted them and how grateful they were for that... and how windwalker was and still is a significant part of their lives...

I appreciated hearing your stories... and so did windwalker...

I also would have liked to have heard more about the initial intention of why a call was initially put forth - as to why windwalker was to be sounded for a 1,000 days ending on this Summer Solstice 2012.

My recollection, and please... I invite anyone to please add to this or correct me (in comments below) if I am inaccurate... What I remember was, that... a dreaming came through one of our ayllu members that windwalker was to be sounded for a continuous 1,000 days to assist the coming of the shift of 2012 – for ourselves, our planet and the spirits...

1,000 days was a long time (approx 2.75+ years)  to commit to sounding and caretaking our sacred ayllu drum through this process... 

I honour and applaud all of you who stepped up to the call...  As far as I know not one day was missed... "Good on you all" is all I can say... This is huge and important work that you all did.... and, congratulations!!!  This was no small undertaking...

...with much gratitude to you all!

I wish to acknowledge the time and energy spent to all who participated in these immense 1,000-days... 

On behalf of our allyu I also wish to extend so much gratitude – to all of you who lovingly and willingly invited windwalker into your homes to sound her each and every day... to those of you who hauled her in your vehicles back and forth to the many homes and our weekend events... to Joey and Rick including those who assisted them to tend to her and repair her when she needed it...

Hi-yi-yah to you all – Thank you!!!

If i can assume... that, those of you who stepped up to this call and participated, that you all may be feeling pretty tired and possibly some relief that the 1,000 days ceremony is now complete.... or...?  We welcome your continued sharings and reflections on how this process was for you so we can all learn from you and windwalker...

I myself was not able to caretake windwalker during this time – mostly because of the distance living away down on the coast... Tho’ I did have the wonderful opportunity of being in ceremony with her during our weekend gatherings and not long ago when members of our ayllu (Laurie, Pamela and Maggie) brought her down (the WW field-trip) to us here in Vancouver and Victoria during Spring Equinox – thank you dear sisters!!!  Personally, wish I could have been closer to be more of a part and assist... Although, I hope you know I held space for you all...

It was when windwalker was in Victoria that a respected medicine woman heard a dreaming from windwalker and made the suggestion that she be drilled with 3 holes to assist her with releasing much needed built-up energy she showed – she saw that she was in a gestation period of ‘being pregnant’ from the spirit of her male/female hides (moose/buffalo) - including the amount of energy she was putting out from the continuous 1,000 day soundings... that she also needed to release to continue... and then transition through to her next pacha (time) of her being in service to our ayllu...

A few of us felt that this felt right, trusting her message and a few of us did not... and........ so, there has been some discussion around this as to the why and how this decision was made to go ahead.... there was a trusting that this was a plea from windwalker.... 

There were hopes that doing this would assist her to sounding more true and others now feel that this has diminished her sound...  there is also discussion that we may perhaps did not pull her skins as well as we could have from the beginning... 

When her lacings broke (way back even before the 1,000 days) and they have broken a number of times... it seemed she didn't play or ring true as she originally did... and I wondered back then if we may need to re-lace her to pull her hides tighter again... So, I can't help but wonder if the reason why she is not playing as well and goes flat more often is more of a technical issue...

We also know that she initially came from her birth place of the wet west coast and to come to live in a very dry arid land has been also a major factor – extreme changes for her and us...... We have learned a lot!!!

We will never truly know – though many of us have chosen to ‘listen’ for windwalker’s own knowingness of what to do next regarding this – we await her choice(s) while she rests.......

Also, during our Solstice day this past weekend... we heard the telling of a beautiful story called The Legend* - sourced and written by ayllu member Katina... we learned and were reminded about our original ayllu vision and birthing of windwalker - and who she truly is... 

I thank you sooo much Katina for sharing this story, particularly at this time, as I believe you helped us all re-member why we first responded to that call - her vision... our vision... (this story is eventually to become a children’s book)...

The Seven Sisters - The Crystal Pleiades

And for me, hearing the essence of Katina’s sacred spoken words moved me and others deeply – many of us cried tears of great love for our dear windwalker and her journey to becoming a sacred big drum...

This story revealed that the dreaming and creation of windwalker significantly marked the birthing of the sacred medicine of the ‘white ray’ rainbow teachings for us all – our beautiful ayllu... she has supported the beginning sourcing and sharings of  “The (Crystal) Teachings of the White Drum Mesa” facilitated through our ayllu sisters and mentors Valorie, Mary Anne of the New York sister ayllu and Valerie from our own ayllu...

I wish to share an excerpt from Katina’s story The Legend.... if I may...

“.......All around the Sitka Spruce, her brothers and sisters were cut down making space for her destiny....... The Standing Ones called to the spirit of the wind …and the wind came blowing fierce and strong from out over the ocean....  

The Sitka Spruce spread out her branches and allowed the winds to lift her as she fell forward to kiss the earth, her heart breaking open and her spirit soaring into the crystal center of the Milky Way.  

The Standing People saw her beautiful spirit transform into a white crystal ray of light...”

Windwalker has been the sacred ‘voice’ of this crystal medicine since day one... I myself had forgotten this and I was very grateful to be so beautifully and gently reminded... I believe many of us were on this special Solstice day...

Since windwalker’s completion of the 1,000 days there has been some discussion of what’s next for her on her journey... some have wondered if she is to be dismantled and put completely to rest - that her time is "done".... others share that she is a legacy for our children’s children...

I acknowledge and honour that the 1,000 days of sacred sounding are now 'done'...  Hi-yi-yah!!! 

We have heard your voice - Amen!

All I know and deeply feel is that windwalker is a spirit that came as a loving gift from our blessed earth mother – that she represents and embodies our mother’s heart living-pulse and her sacred voice... she has much to teach us and share with us – if we will only listen...

Back in 2007, when those of us traveled to Read Island to search for her – to respond to our calling (thank you Rick... Ann...Valerie... Richard... Pamela... Joanie... Sunbreak)... 

it was the spirit of a little frog who eventually showed us the way..........

The medicine of the sacred frog teaches us about cleansing... it is the totem of water – windwalker came from the wet west coast and traveled over water and land to come home to us.... 

Frog’s voice calls forth the rains...

Emotions are associated with water... frog can help us to get in touch with our feelings... 

Frogs can cleanse the negativity from an environment. 

Sachamama...

It’s interesting to note that a small frog jumped in and near our circle this last weekend at the lake... 

The circle completes itself........?

When we first approached the windwalker** fallen tree - a grand sitka spruce... We could feel that this tree had fallen hard in the wind-storms... She had been completely uprooted and her roots were rudely exposed high in the air for all to ‘see’ - if we chose to ‘see’... she had been sawed into large long pieces - her severed pieces splayed on the ground.  

We all felt an immediate reflection of just how devastated our earth mother is feeling from the continued rape and dishonouring of her body by us, her children... We immediately sensed that she was the ‘one’ to become our ayllu sacred drum... and we also knew that we had to ask her... and after some offering of healing and connection, she replied quite quickly with a very strong "Yes!...

I will never forget how elated, excited and sooo honoured we all felt......... !

The Standing Ones - Our Elders

The sacred drum can teach us if we are open – she can clear the way for that which needs to be cleared - so healing can occur.... she connects us to our mother – she connects us as ayllu-community – she ‘entrains’ us...

She also teaches us how to have fun!

Our sacred drum reflects our healed state – very much like our mesas do... windwalker is in essence, a mesa for our beautiful ayllu and she will reflect and teach us what is presently going on for our community – as long as we continue to listen... she has and continues to teach us much...

At the beginning she revealed many cracks in her body while she was in the drying stage and not yet a complete drum – at that time we were experiencing many ‘cracks’ in our community... some folk chose to ‘split’ from our ayllu community and they moved on... 

Now, during 2012, she is showing us we are tired and spent and rightly so... We are at the half way point – at the Solstice threshold of 2012...  We have been through hell with so much change and shifting – humanity and our planet...  and the sacred sounding of 1,000 days......

There is a great prophecy from the Otomi elders in Mexico that states....

"When 8000 sacred drums sound together, an intense healing of Mother Earth will commence.”  -  500 year-old OtomiProphecy

eagle condor wing-to-wing

Many of us believe that windwalker is one of the 8,000 – we all are part of the 8,000... and by our sacred intention and soundings this healing of our dear planet has only begun – We still have so much more work to do... 

Are we up for it even though we are tired and spent?...

The ancestors/elders sent us a message through their prophecy that states...

“We are the ones we have been waiting for...” 

Both prophecies give me hope – hope that we can dream our dreamings of what we want for the healing of our blessed earth mother and ALL her children... It is up to us...

The pacos/elders recently sent us all a Solstice message that reads....

“We have just passed into a very unique period of time during Solstice on June 21st of 2012... that we will officially step across the threshold and enter fully into the Time of the New Beginning.

This period of time, which is occurring after many millions of years, as the Great Pachacuti (the turning over of time) - is a time of deep earthly, worldly, and energetic shifting.... that, as we cross the threshold into the New Beginning, we are stepping into a new frequency:  the seed that we each carry within us as a human will expand and grow and there will be a new, higher level of energy vibrating within us.”

What will we choose to 'step into' – personally... as ayllu... as a planet.... as ‘one’...?

And so, I welcome and invite us all to continue to connect with windwalker who gave her life (the grand standing elder sitka spruce) as did the two dear animal spirits (the buffalo and moose) who also gave their lives for us... 

She came into being to support us and to give us sacred voice for our ayllu - our blessed earth mother and all her children... She only asks us to mindfully listen and simply connect – even while she rests for this time being...

She asks us to not forget her.... for in essence, forgetting her is to forget and neglect our blessed earth mother, Pachamama...  I feel if we were to dismantle her would be to take the easy route out... to give in and give up... to buy-into the norm-collective of the old ways of ‘beating’ up and bashing the feminine, disrespecting and humiliating our Mother...

I humbly ask - who are we to decide?... 

What do we choose to step into?...  the new or back up into the old....?

Windwalker showed up for us for a reason – It was us - our ayllu who called for her spirit and she came to us - it was her destiny... 

She is a member of our ayllu... she came from spirit... she is a spirit  - as we are.... we all are ‘one’... Will we continue to show up for her – show up and stand up for our Mother?

We are all connected...  (((o)))

From our wonderful weekend back in 2008 when we gathered to complete windwalker - on the last day, as an ayllu, we stood up for her and honoured her with a dedication ceremony... 

We also stood up with her for a 1,000 days...

It my hope and the hope of others that we will continue to stand up with her - whatever that is to be... I am confident that windwalker will teach and show us...

To end this musing, I wish to include our ayllu’s dreamings*** that came forth that special day – it was a visioning for our then, newest ayllu member and who is now our elder and teacher, dear windwalker...

We all chose to stand together to honour her and each one of us spoke aloud our dedication of what she meant to us.... and then after, we sounded her for the first time together as ayllu and celebrated her birth with much joy and laughter...

And so... I invite you to also explore what your dreamings and visions are now?

- concentric circles in the lake... 

- the white ray.. 

- her sound... excitement.. 

- 8000 drums ceremony and the grandmother drum... 

- five whales... heart connection... out... 

- windwalker... connects with ayllu... 

- sometimes comfortable... sometimes not... 

- new life... 

- it doesn't matter anymore... 

- allow abundance and to slow down... appreciation... 

- listening... 

- being in community... windwalker will teach us... 

- we are wounded healers to share compassion and love... 

- "she" is a new member of our ayllu... healing... understanding... 

- cougar... cat... bear... west.. eagle is vision... 

- protector... windwalker is okay... 

- forgiveness... 

- to connect with a community of healing... 

- aware of sacred space... 

- circles... wider circles... to be held... 

- in the circle of rebirth... 

- vibration and rhythm... 

- shifting of our bones to a chrystaline structure... 

- to witness the dimensions in the divine feminine and masculine... 

- there are no goodbyes... 

- the tree people know this divine presence... 

- i see you!... 

- manifestation of the collective and... 

- will shift the greater collective... 

- it's okay to touch me... 

- gratitude in my heart represents love... 

- she is the center... 

- to stop being opposite sides we get to become one... 

- carry the vision out to the world... 

- now is our opportunity... 

- lake... water... tree... 

- vessel for love, healing and peace... 

- step up to the plate to be the caretakers...

Hi-yi-yah!!!

I welcome your comments and musings please...

With much love and light all ways.......

In munay, weaver x (((o)))

windwalker, our sacred ayllu community drum...

* Excerpt from "The Legend" by Katina O'Neil © 2012

** A "windwalker" is a tree that has taken root on top of an old stump/nurse tree - there have been many legends and stories told that a windwalker will walk in the wind on it's roots...

*** Above source/reference:  From the windwalker blog posted on September 9, 2008 titled, “as ‘all-you’... we vision”...

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